T'wolves short on numbers, long on talent

Published 9:00 pm, Saturday, August 24, 2002

Northwood University has put up some impressive numbers on the volleyball court. But the number that concerns head coach Jeff Williams the most may be the number 10.

That's how many players the Timberwolves have on their roster a week before the regular season begins.

"We started with 12 and we have 10, so I wouldn't say that's progress," Williams said. "In the long run, I think it only hurts us practice-wise and depth wise. We have four outsides with should be sufficient and four middles with should be sufficient also."

NU may be short on players, but they're certainly not short on talent. NU returns several key players from last year's 25-9 squad. NU was 12-6 in GLIAC play and won the conference tournament with a convincing win over Ferris State.

NU reached the regional semifinal before falling to Findlay in a thrilling five-game battle.

Two-time All-American Amy Gruszynski leads the way. The senior setter from Pinconning has established herself as one of the greatest players in school history.

"If she's not the best player that has played here, she's certainly one of the top two or three," Williams said. "Amy has certainly been our most dominant player for the last four years. She's a great leader."

Other returning starters for the Timberwolves include junior outside hitters Tiffany VanHemm and Laura Zaskowski and sophomores Tracy Martin and Sladjana Vasiljevic.

Zaskowski earned All-GLIAC honors last season. She ranks in the top 10 in every statistical category in school history.

Vasiljevic, who already ranks seventh on NU's all-time kills list (333) was the conference's Freshman of the Year. Her .357 attack percentage is the best in school history. Vasiljevic played middle hitter for the Timberwolves last year before being moved to the right side with two games left in the season.

Van Hemm moves from the left to the right side this season.

Other key players include sophomores Megan Young and Kim Swenson along with freshmen Stephanie Swanson, Jelena Mijatovic and Dradjana Todorovic.

Missing from the team this season is Klara Plsova. She has knee surgery early last season and hasn't been able to fully recover.

"She came in and practiced the first four of five days and just didn't feel she could continue with that," Williams said. "Anytime you lose a player that has been in your program for four years, it hurts. You lose that experience."

Despite Plsova being out and another player leaving the team, Williams feels his team can still contend for big things this time around.

"We knew going into the season that we couldn't have even a hangnail as far as injuries go," Williams said. "As long as we can remain healthy, I think we'll be good and very competitive."

The Timberwolves begin the season on Friday at the Hawaiian Style Classic. NU faces 18th-ranked Hawaii Pacific in its opener.

"We open with Hawaii Pacific and they were the national champions in 2000," Williams said. "In the first poll this season they're ranked 18th and we're ranked 23rd. They're similar to our program."

NU also plays Northern State and East Texas Baptist in pool play. The top teams in the other pool are North Dakota State, Hawaii Hilo and Wayne State (Neb.).

NU also competes in a tournament in Orlando (Sept. 6-7) and plays in the GLIAC-GLVC Challenge (Sept. 13-14) before opening the GLIAC season on Sept. 17th against Saginaw Valley.

NU is picked second in the GLIAC North Division behind defending regular season champion Grand Valley.

"The GLIAC is always tough," Williams said. "But someone has to prove they're a little better than Grand Valley. They have all their starters back and their backups back. They should be the favorite and they should be the dominant team.

"Our conference is very competitive. As strong as they are, I'd be surprised if they went undefeated."